Congress Archives

Democratic congresswoman-elect Ilhan Omar, Minnesota, poses along with others for the 116th Congress members-elect group photo on the East Front Plaza of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on November 14th, 2018.

Social Justice

How a New Congress Could Better Address the #MeToo Movement

Congress has not passed any harassment-related legislation beyond cleaning up its own internal process for handling complaints—but that could change as a result of the 2018 mid-terms.

Elizabeth C. Tippett

Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte speaks during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on June 28th, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

One Congressman Stands in the Way of a Bill That Addresses the High Rates of Missing and Murdered Native Women

Savanna's Act passed the Senate unanimously. If it doesn't pass the House, it will be back to square one next session.

Rebecca Worby

Representative Jackie Speier (D-California) speaks to members of the press during a Democratic Caucus meeting to elect new leadership on Capitol Hill on November 28th, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

News in Brief

Will the New Congress Take Up Sexual Harassment in Science?

Several members of Congress are already eying legislation to require universities to report taxpayer-funded harassers to the government.

Francie Diep

Governor-elect Gavin Newson, President Donald Trump, Governor Jerry Brown, Paradise Mayor Jody Jones and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Brock Long tour an RV park during Trump's visit of the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, on November 17th, 2018.

What Will the New Farm Bill Mean for Key Programs Like SNAP?

After a fierce partisan fight, Congress has reached an agreement on SNAP, forestry, and conservation programs.

Emily Moon

Corn and soybeans grow on a farm near Tipton, Iowa.

Lawmakers Have Reached an Initial Agreement on the Farm Bill

Negotiators are one step closer to a bill funding crucial food assistance and agriculture programs.

Emily Moon

Social Justice

What Will Brett Kavanaugh’s Influence on American Politics Actually Be?

The new Supreme Court justice may not have the effect on liberal causes that some fear—that move to the right has already occurred.

Ofer Raban

Incoming Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) and other freshman members of the 116th Congress pose for a group photo on Capitol Hill on November 14th, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

Some Mid-Term Races Are Still Up in the Air (in Photos)

Nearly two weeks after Election Day, we still don't know who will join the historic 116th Congress in every district.

Emma Sarappo

Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema participates in the pregame coin toss before the game between the Utah Utes and the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 3rd, 2018, in Tempe, Arizona.

As Votes Roll in, Fresh Records for Women’s Representation in U.S. Government Are Within Reach

By the morning after Election Day, America knew the number of women in the House of Representatives would hit historic highs. Could the Senate and governors' mansions, too?

Francie Diep

House Democrats Announce They’ll Hold Climate Change Hearings Early Next Year

Since Democrats gained a majority in the House during the mid-term elections, they've been expected to focus on climate change mitigation and preparation.

Francie Diep

Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids (L) and her mother, Crystal Herriage, celebrate with supporters during an election night party on November 6th, 2018, in Olathe, Kansas. Davids defeated incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder. Davids and Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) will become the first Native American women to serve in Congress.

News in Brief

How a Record Number of Female Candidates Translated Into Numbers of Women in Power

A record number of women ran for some of the nation's highest offices this year. Here's how they've influenced the gender make-up of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the states' governors.

Francie Diep